The Iowa Senate passed a bill Tuesday to require most Medicaid recipients in the state to work or volunteer as a qualification to receive benefits.Senate File 538 would require the state to apply for a waiver from the federal government that would allow the Department of Human Services to impose a "community engagement activity" participation requirement on Medicaid recipients.The bill passed on a party-line vote of 32-17. All Republican senators supported it, and all Democratic senators opposed it.Those seeking benefits under Iowa's Medicaid program would need to work 20 or more hours per week, averaged over a six-month period, to be eligible. Recipients could also volunteer 20 hours a week, averaged on a monthly basis, to satisfy the requirements. Other state-approved programs identified by the department could be used in place of those.State officials say about 60,000 people could be affected by the bill if it becomes law."Expecting able-bodied adults on Medicaid to work, volunteer, or go to school is a commonsense policy," Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, said in a statement. "With the lowest unemployment rate in the country, nearly every sector of the Iowa economy needs workers and this bill can bring additional people into the workforce."Some would be exempt from the requirement under the law, under the following conditions:A person medically certified as physically or mentally unable to work or volunteerA pregnant womanA parent or caretaker of a dependent child under age 6 or of a dependent child who has a serious medical condition or disabilityA person who is a caregiver for an adult or elderly person with a chronic, disabling or serious health conditionA person on unemployment assistance who is fulfilling the requirements of that programA person in a drug or alcohol rehab programA person attending school as a full-time studentA parent who is homeschooling their childUnder several of those categories, a person would need to be approved by the Department of Human Services to receive the exemption.If a person is found failing to fulfill the requirements of the proposed law, then their Medicaid benefits would be cut off 30 days after receiving notice from the state.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) —

The Iowa Senate passed a bill Tuesday to require most Medicaid recipients in the state to work or volunteer as a qualification to receive benefits.

Senate File 538 would require the state to apply for a waiver from the federal government that would allow the Department of Human Services to impose a "community engagement activity" participation requirement on Medicaid recipients.

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The bill passed on a party-line vote of 32-17. All Republican senators supported it, and all Democratic senators opposed it.

Those seeking benefits under Iowa's Medicaid program would need to work 20 or more hours per week, averaged over a six-month period, to be eligible. Recipients could also volunteer 20 hours a week, averaged on a monthly basis, to satisfy the requirements. Other state-approved programs identified by the department could be used in place of those.

State officials say about 60,000 people could be affected by the bill if it becomes law.

"Expecting able-bodied adults on Medicaid to work, volunteer, or go to school is a commonsense policy," Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, said in a statement. "With the lowest unemployment rate in the country, nearly every sector of the Iowa economy needs workers and this bill can bring additional people into the workforce."

Some would be exempt from the requirement under the law, under the following conditions:

A person medically certified as physically or mentally unable to work or volunteer

A pregnant woman

A parent or caretaker of a dependent child under age 6 or of a dependent child who has a serious medical condition or disability

A person who is a caregiver for an adult or elderly person with a chronic, disabling or serious health condition

A person on unemployment assistance who is fulfilling the requirements of that program

A person in a drug or alcohol rehab program

A person attending school as a full-time student

A parent who is homeschooling their child

Under several of those categories, a person would need to be approved by the Department of Human Services to receive the exemption.

If a person is found failing to fulfill the requirements of the proposed law, then their Medicaid benefits would be cut off 30 days after receiving notice from the state.